Friedgen Spring Review Press Conference Video
April 24, 2007
COLLEGE PARK, Md. -
The Maryland football team took to the practice field Tuesday evening, marking the first time the Terps have worked out since the third and final scrimmage of the spring Saturday.
It was one of the last opportunities the players will have to make an impression on the coaching staff, as the team has just two remaining workouts with the spring season concluding Saturday with the annual Red-White Game (3:30 p.m. at Chevy Chase Bank Field at Byrd Stadium).
Overall, head coach Ralph Friedgen has been pleased with the progression of the team over the last month.
"We have had a very productive spring practice despite some injuries to some of our main players," Friedgen said Tuesday afternoon at his press conference. "Fortunately, with the exception of maybe one person, we haven't lost anyone for the season. That has allowed us to get a lot of reps from our backup players. They've been getting better, and I'm hoping that this will make us a better football team overall."
But today's workout wasn't quite what the team was hoping for with precious spring practice time evaporating.
"We had a sloppy practice today," junior quarterback Jordan Steffy said. "But other than that I think we did well in all of the scrimmages. As a team we are starting to come together."
Steffy entered the spring as the starter and remains atop the depth chart. He's completed 30 of 47 passes (64 percent) for 376 yards with three TDs and no interceptions in the three scrimmages.
But sophomores Josh Portis and Chris Turner are not too far behind.
Portis has hit on 20 of 36 passes (56 percent) for 231 yards with one TD and two picks, while Turner has completed on 17 of 29 throws (59 percent) for 192 yards with three interceptions.
"I think we have a lot of things to work on, but at the same time there are little areas where we are getting better," Portis said. "We aren't quite there yet, but we are getting better."
The team will hold one more practice (4 p.m. Thursday) to prep for the spring game.
"Obviously Saturday you want to perform well in front of a crowd," Portis said. "A lot of people are going to be talking after the game. The coaches look at it as another practice and another scrimmage. I think it's going to be fun. It is going to be a great atmosphere and should be a sunny day."
